Which uses more nitrate?

[Cody Ray]

Cheato or caulerpa?

 

[fishyvet]

I don't know of any scientific studies that show one macro uses more than the other but in my tank I'm pretty sure the caulerpa does just because it grows way faster than my cheato.

 

[Cody Ray]

OT but i luv your avatar!

 

[graveyardworm]

Different species of caulerpa and cheatomorpha will use nutrients at different ratios. I dont believe enough study has been done to know what the ratios of all might be. The uptake of nitrate is also going to be determined by the availability of other nutrients, light, flow, and other variables. Growth rate is going to have alot to do with it as well. Both are very efficient at nutrient removal when the rest of the conditions for the macro are being met. Caulerpa does come with some drawbacks like its invasiveness, and toxic chemical release. Cheato is more controllable and no toxins that I'm aware of.

 

[kae]

Between these two species, Chaetomorpha Crassa and Chaetomorpha Linum, which one do you think is better in terms of nutrients uptake? Thank you.

 

[graveyardworm]

I think there's too many variables in our home aquariums to place a finger on which is going to be more efficent at removing nutrients. I would say whichever one finds conditions to be more favorable.

 

[pjf]

I agree with graveyardworm that chaetomorpha is more easily controlled and less noxious than caulerpa. As for which uptakes nutrients faster, the following article suggests caulerpa will be near the top: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Bot482/Kaneohe Bay algae N-P Larned Mar Biol.pdf

This article was referenced in one of Randy Holmes-Farley's publications (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php). Unfortunately, chaetomorpha was not studied.